We took a stroll down Olvera Street during our trip to LA last month. The plan was to hit Cielito Lindo, but they are temporarily closed. So we looked around and chose El Paseo Inn. It turned out to be a good choice. My wife and I shared the Sepulveda Enchiladas. Thumbs up. The chips and guac were fresh. They kept bringing chips, we kept eating them. Salsas were good too. We tried a frozen margarita and a traditional margarita. The traditional was better. The agua fresca de jamaica was excellent. Service was fast and friendly. Even though I was bummed Cielito Lindo was closed, El Paseo Inn stepped up and delivered. read more

El Paseo Inn - The Sepulveda Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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El Paseo Inn is located right on Olivera Street, so ofc it's a tourist trap. And expensive. AI told us to order the tableside guacamole ($15.95) so we did. Our waitress mixed together avocado, tomatoes, Serrano chiles, onions, cilantro, and lime in a molcajete. It was cool, but not worth the price considering the small portion size for super ordinary guac. I must admit the beef taquitos ($16.95) were quite delicious. You get four crispy taquitos filled with shredded beef and topped with avocado sauce + cojita cheese. The combination of avocado sauce and cojita cheese is absolute fire. It's creamy and has a zing of salty from the cheese. Because it's listed as an appetizer, it doesn't come with any sides. Without the sides, each taquitos breaks down to $4.25 a roll, which is quite expensive actually. Well, El Paseo is perfect if you're looking for an alcoholic libation, but I'd recommend venturing further down if you're looking for a quick and easy bite to eat. read more

El Paseo Inn - beef taquitos: 4 crispy rolled tortillas filled with shredded beef topped with avocado sauce + cotija cheese = $16.95 - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Outdoor seating was a treat on the most perfect 77 degree day. Tiny tables kinda bunched together, which may bother those who need space. Servers squeezing around one another and even had a lil bit of a mishap with a tray of table side guac supplies. Our server was kind, attentive and was careful to detail on our order. We ordered chips and salsa, beef enchiladas, and carnitas. All was good. Prepared to our liking, hot and tasty. Took a bit to get our check, and we were pressed for time to catch our train. We would come back and try other menu items! read more

Came in with family to get some lunch Family got wet burritos and I got veggie enchiladas Wet burritos looked sooo good, but my enchiladas was not the best :( I am not a big onion fan and the enchiladas was all onions, I usually ask for them taken out, but since it said it was only onions, mushrooms and bell peppers I didn't want to have even less lol I will probably try something different next time read more

El Paseo Inn - Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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We wandered in here with the intent to have tacos and ended up getting breakfast instead. The restaurant is very festive and is in the heart of the iconic Olvera Street. It was surprisingly crowded on the patio for the time of day (10:30 am) but we were seated right away and our server was very quick to come to the table and take our drink orders. He was very attentive and provided great service. I had the Carne Asada breakfast burrito and my wife had the Chilaquiles. Both were very tasty, the burritos was huge and had good flavor, but was a little dry and could have used something saucy. Nevertheless, it was a solid breakfast burrito. I tried my wife's dish and I particularly liked the sauce on the Chilaquiles. It had a really nice spice and a slightly smoky flavor. Some of that sauce with the burrito would have been great! read more

CONS: * Very overpriced for what you get * $20-$21 for three tacos with rice and beans isn't justified * Food is simple (just chopped meat), nothing special for the price * Plenty of cheaper options nearby with the same type of food PROS: * Food was tasty * Chips and salsa were good * Papas de tacos appetizer was worth the price * Chill, relaxed vibe * Friendly waitress * Nice outdoor seating on a good day We stopped by Olvera Street during a layover and decided to grab some Mexican food. I've been here before when I was younger, so this place has clearly been around for a long time -- you can tell by the decor. Everyone was sitting outside since it was a nice day, and no one was inside even though there's a lot of room. The food itself was good, very typical Mexican food and definitely tasty. That said, the pricing is the issue. Paying $20-$21 for three tacos with rice and beans just didn't make sense to me. It was literally chunks of meat, nothing fancy, nothing elevated. For that price, I would expect more. That plate should honestly be closer to $15. The chips and salsa were good, and my boyfriend ordered the papas de tacos, which I thought was actually a good deal for an appetizer. The vibe is chill, the waitress was very friendly, and if you're going with a big group and making it more of an outing, I can see why people come here. But personally, I wouldn't go back -- not for those prices when there are plenty of other spots nearby that offer the same food for less. read more

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I used to work downtown LA a long while back, and it was always fun to come to Olivera Street for some chips and margaritas. I was at Union Station and had a little time to kill, so walked over. Alas, La Golondrina closed its doors during COVID after 93 years. But, El Paseo Inn, across the walkway, is open, has a charming shaded patio, and is still serving up margaritas. I had the skinny marg ($17.99), and it was very good. Added an order of chips and salsa (red and green) for $2.95, which were warm, crispy and a perfect complement to the margarita. The table next to me ordered the guacamole, which was made to order, tableside, and looked amazing. Friendly service; variety of Mexican music playing. A very enjoyable visit. read more

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Spent Sunday afternoon at the famous Olvera Street happened to come in here for a drink and food. Not busy at all we were seated as soon as we arrived. The decor was traditional, lacking Mexican music which I was expecting. The inside was nice; once situated, we ordered a Margarita. Before I go further, AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID The Margarita. It was awful, a strong taste of sweet licorice candy mixed with sour stuff, which I could not identify. Burrito, Chicken and Mole, and Guacamole were good. The chips taste stale not fresh. Inside and outside seating available. Our waiter was nice and accommodating. Would try this place again maybe they can improve on a simple Margarita. read more

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My family and I went on a Sunday and therefore was busier than usual .Service was bad ,from everyone .I would see alot of eye rolls from different waiters and bussers from far away ,I asked a busser nearby if he can get me a to go box since my waitress was nowhere to be found and was met with the same eye roll. All our dishes were delicious and food is great! But they lack when it's a busy day .Id recommend coming here when it isn't busy as they perhaps give better service. read more

El Paseo Inn - Enchiladas suizas - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

*Delayed post from July '25 El Paseo Inn is located walking distance from Union Station off Olvera Street next to one of the oldest pueblos in LA. The area is all about pedestrians with tons of shops selling souvenirs and street food everywhere. The restaurant itself is massive with both an outdoor patio and two large indoor seating areas. The decorations are cute and well maintained, perfect for a large family gathering or special occasion. We visited on a Sunday and discovered they had a mariachi band getting ready to perform that night as they do weekly. The portions here are massive, so be prepared to share with the table! We ordered the nachos with half chicken and half steak. The plate was truly a giant pile of tortillas, cheese, meat, and guacamole. The guacamole was by far the star of the plate and I think it would have been worth ordering just that as an appetizer, especially if you get the tableside option since you get an experience when they make it in front of you. We also had the Sepulveda Enchiladas which were thankfully not too greasy, but did have a ton of cheese on top. Overall I would say the food here is alright. It's the average Mexican food you expect when you go to a neighborhood restaurant: tastes good, well seasoned, maybe some hiccups, but nothing to fret about. It isn't a place with unique dishes or super high quality food, but it's decent and you'll be satisfied. read more

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Olvera street is an LA staple for anyone local to the area. I've been coming to this area since I was a kid but this was my first time coming to el paseo inn. What I love is that it looks like a small hole in the wall but is actually very spacious inside so it doesn't feel cramped when you're eating. I tried the chicken mole enchiladas and they were top mole I've had at a restaurant. Tasted like my grandmas. A little salty with a hint of that sweetness that just makes it so authentic. My wife tried the chorizo burrito and love it too. We also ordered the tableside guacamole which was good. It's a little small of a portion so keep that in mind if ordering for the table. Overall the place was great. Service was so friendly and welcoming. If you're on olvera street or In the area stop by and try it out!! read more

El Paseo Inn - Chicken mole Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Located in the heart of Olvera Street, El Paseo Inn serves as the perfect place for a meal after perusing the vendors and shops. I thoroughly enjoyed our visit with El Paseo, especially the decor and "revival" of the era. We visited on a weekday and seated immediately. There is both covered outdoor seating as well as indoor (air conditioned) seating. Given it was fairly warm on our visit, we opted for indoors. I'm glad we did as the decor inside was beautiful, and had such a quaint Mexico City vibe. Service was good- the waitress was attentive and helped recommend dishes. The food was great- the Chili Verde and Enchiladas both hit the spot, and the rice was flavored well. For those that patron Mexican restaurants frequently, chips and salsa are not complimentary and instead need to be purchased. If you purchase- you are given a bowl of chips and two salsas- one green and one red. read more

El Paseo Inn - Chili Verde - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Wonderful ambiance accommodated my family of 16. Staff were attentive and welcoming food was delicious. Communicated for my reservation thank you for the memorable experience! read more

El Paseo Inn - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The Salmon Tropical was delicious and the tropical flavors were unique. The area was also very cute. read more

El Paseo Inn - Salmon Tropical - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Locate don the historic Olivera Street, this restaurant transports you to Mexico. With freshly made guacamole and the hospitable service this is a great place to eat. We tried the shrimp cocktail and the chilaquiles. Both very good and for the price very filling! read more

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Came here for a little break and a drink. Ended up getting some fresh guacamole and chips which was amazing! It had a little zip to it, so good! Service was quick and friendly. read more

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Down home classic sit down Mexican foot that doesn't break the bank and has HUGE portions. Each of these plates was enough to feed two people each. Olvera Street is a treasure that the city of LA is sadly trying to destroy. Probably connected to some real estate scheme. Come for the fajitas, tacos and BOMB beans. Those beans taste just like my grandma's. Will be back just to basque in the awesome interior of the Spanish revival style and murals. read more

El Paseo Inn - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I finally came to visit Olvera street. Prob on the worst day of the year hahaha. It was Wednesday 11am. Had lunch w my family. Seated quickly and food was great. We got carnitas and a kids quesadilla meal. I wondered if the plates would be large (due to the prices). It was not. The chips and salsa were a great price. I understand location has a lot to do w pricing. That being said, beans and rice should be a generous helping if you ask me. Beans and rice are cheap. I buy and make it so often, as a Latina myself, I think being generous on your cheapest product can really make a difference in the traffic of your location. You lose nothing and gain much more customers and loyalty. The ambiance was gorgeous Mexican culture that I love. read more

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Definitely good margaritas pretty strong. Came in for chips and salsa some guacamole and a margarita. Good service . Nice place read more

El Paseo Inn - Chips and salsa, guacamole, margarita. - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Service was great!! We were seated right away. In side or out side, as it was during week at 1:30 We decided to sit outside. We were assigned Jaime a wonderful waiter with a great sense of humor and ready to assist us. I asked for a side or Mole as I love it. They delivered and OMG That was delicious!!!! Next time will have to get mole. They have restrooms and all is very clean. The jalapeño margarita was delicious with strong kick of tequila! Everything was perfect!!! If you are in town, give them a try. Thank you Jaime and the cooks in the kitchen Everything was delicious Cooked to perfection! read more

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What a treat without going to Mexico! Loved this beautiful mexican restaurant right on Olvera Street. Atmosphere was great, service was fast and friendly, and the food is excellent. We ordered the Sombero Salad with chicken. A little spicy, smoked chicken made this unique salad exceptional. Daughter had shrimp cerveche, which was excellents, cheese quesadillas, and wet burrito. Don't forget to order the endless chips and salas. Can't wait to go back again to the fun fun place. read more

Paseo Inn is one of the only sit down restaurants in Placita Olvera. I know we all miss La Golondrina café but el Paseo Inn is equally great. All their dishes are authentic and flavorful. Today I opted for the steak and huevos rancheros. The steak was a little tough so I won't give them five stars but still a tasty dish. My family also liked all their dishes as they're all made fresh to order. The hard shell tacos, enchiladas and chile relleno did not get any complaints. The menudo is only made on the weekend but it's worth the wait. I always judge a Mexican restaurant by their brand and rice and El Paseo Inn has it down right!!! I highly recommend El Paseo Inn when you're in the mood for a sit down restaurant in the Placita Olvera. read more

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Wow!!! Okay the food is always delicious, but it was the service of Roberto and Luis that blew our minds. Luis came up on my right to deliver our second round of food and when I lifted my plate to exchange with Luis...BOOM... there was Roberto already at my side grabbing the plate for me while still dropping off a plate to our neighbor. I didn't have to say or word and barely lifted a finger. I love coming here cause they really do treat you like family thats coming to visit their home. Big shoutout to Roberto and Luis!!! The world needs more people like you two perfect gentlemen read more

This restaurant is such a unique dining experience for LA. Our large group got seated right away, but during a week day lunch time it's not too busy. The restaurant is huge and has an outdoor patio, indoor seating, and a side private room. We got started with waters and chips and salsa right away. I really appreciated that they make the guacamole table side. We had the nachos, potato tacos, pollo verde, carnitas, and mole enchilada. The chips and nachos were so good I was filling up on them before our main food came. The potato tacos were perfectly crispy and warm. The mole here is sweet and dark and goes really well on top of the enchilada. The pollo verde was so good and had a little kick. The carnitas were grilled perfectly to be the right amount of crispy yet tender. The portions for the mains were very generous, we boxed everything to go. Servers were super attentive and fast. read more

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Really good food. I got the Viva Mexico burrito which was really tasty. It offered two different meat and sauce combination options which was nice. Service was good, they were attentive and refilled water glasses regularly. Ambiance was also enjoyable. read more

El Paseo Inn - Viva Mexico - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles institution. Very pleasant patio. Great service. Good food and decent prices.

They are right in the center of Olvera Street, in the heart of the Mexican Market. Their covered outdoor seating area is perfect on a sunny day. Their website says it "boasts one of the oldest bars in Los Angeles as well as a spectacular mural painted by artist Rubén Lara Campos in 1946." The service was friendly and reasonably fast. But the star of the show is the food. They serve traditional Mexican dishes. We had the carne asada and Viva Mexico burritos and the carnitas plate. All three were excellent. The carnitas came with an excellent salsa quemada, which is a smokey-flavored, dry roasted salsa. So good! Come for the Olvera Street experience and enjoy the food while you're there. read more

El Paseo Inn - Outdoor covered seating area (they have indoor seating too) - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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We decided to eat here for brunch. After being sat by the busser, we waited 10 minutes before we were even noticed by a woman that said we would be helped soon. The server shrugged us off when we pointed out we have been waiting and asked if we were ready to order or not. He didn't introduce himself, all he said was "are you ready?" The busser was very kind and asked for our drink order and frequently checked on us. I ordered the chilaquiles and carnitas, food was okay probably a 7/10. They had no signs that they do not accept Discover, they should let us know beforehand. The server seemed irritated that he had customers. read more

You're paying for the vibe. Over priced mediocre food. You pay for the chips and make sure you ask for refills cuz their bottomless chips don't come when the basket is empty. So I ordered a kids burrito, which is half the size of a standard size and requested to add chicken. What a joke, they added one strip in that tiny burrito and charged $7, making a kids burrito $20. It wouldn't be so bad if the food was good, but being a Angelino, this place is a 5-10 and that's being kind. read more

Basic & light seasonings. Food was fresh but lacked flavor. Kinda overpriced compared to other Mexican restaurants & no chips & salsa come to the table complementary . Service was nice. The ambiance has old town Mexico restaurant feels. read more

El Paseo Inn - Chicken Tacos & mole cheese enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

rating for drinks. found a lively alley of little pop up tiendas and wanted a drink ordered: mango margarita, ponegrante margarita, chips and salsa mango margarita: tastes like mango juice pomegrante margarita: sooo strong and sour not my fav at all :/ chips and salsa: my fav chips ever it was perfectly thin and crispy and crunchy so yum overall: service was friendly but a bit slow. would come again for the vibes if ever in the area, there was live music too when we went and it was super fun loved the vibes, felt like i was in mexico lol read more

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Had a nice early dinner here tonight. Everything was SO flavorful. The restaurant (and bathroom) was very clean and the service was very attentive. People checked on us quite often. Was nice to have a place to eat and sit and have such a nice variety on the menu. read more

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You line up outside, they don't take names or reservations, so we queued up. Only stood in line for about 10 minutes before Chips & salsa are plentiful, with no extra charge for extra baskets! Cadillac Margarita & Pomegranate Margarita, both flavorful, but the pomegranate was a ridiculous size for the money. The food was decent, not the best Mexican we've had, but not the worst, & the service was great, still can't get over the price of the drinks! read more

El Paseo Inn - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Always a pleasure at Paseo Inn! Been here a few times with friends, most recently with family, and once on a solo lunch; never has this place disappointed! Service is always quick and kind. The historic building is preserved so well and they display it perfectly in this restaurant making for the perfect vibe! Drinks are always VERY strong or at least they made mine that way and I'm not lightweight by any means lol. Food is classic and very flavorful. I have nothing negative to say, I think everyone should experience it at least once! read more

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The food and atmosphere are very good. We ordered chicken poblano and tres amigos fajitas. The mole on the chicken poblano dish was VERY GOOD! Warning, the "large" six margaritas are GIANT, we had no idea. Sadly, attendance and customer revenue at Olvera Street and other heavily Latino areas in Los Angeles have reportedly decreased due to increased fear of ICE raids, which were intensified in June 2025. The increased enforcement has caused confusion and fear within the community, particularly among those with mixed immigration families, leading them to spend money less often and contribute to an economic withdrawal from these areas. Some businesses have reported closing early or not opening at all due to fears of potential raids. read more

I had a mixed experience here. Our waitress was actually helpful and attentive during most of our dining experience, which I appreciated. However, things took a turn at the end of the meal. We noticed that we were being charged for items that were originally presented as complimentary. When we brought this up, instead of resolving it smoothly, it turned into an uncomfortable situation where both the waitress and the manager argued with us about it. It was frustrating because what could have been handled quickly and professionally became unnecessarily tense. Because of this, I'm not sure I would return. read more

Love the vibes of this place. It's one of the oldest bars in LA and the interior transports you back in time. For how busy it was on a Saturday, our 7 person party was seated in under 15 minutes. It's a little pricey; but that's expected for its location. My only complaint was that the vegan options are very slim and the one meal that was vegan, was a fajitas style bowl which is fine, but for the price I expected just a bit more. Great experience overall read more

Ok the food is not great. Lukewarm, marginal at best really. BUT the ambience and friendly wait staff made up for it; so I feel bad giving it 2 stars, because we did have a lovely time. It was so nice to sit on the portico with the efficient ceiling fans and people watch with Hurricanes. This being a restaurant I felt like I had to rate the food; but I'd go back because the experience was very positive read more

Disclaimer: Food reviews are subjective. What I enjoy, you may not--and just because I don't like something doesn't mean it's bad. It simply means it wasn't to my personal taste. With that said, here's my review. What I Ordered: Mexican Bowl Chicken with Mole Poblano Food Review: Both dishes were absolutely delicious. The Mexican Bowl really stood out--it was packed with Mexican rice, black beans, corn, chicken, onions, bell peppers, guacamole, and sour cream. Every ingredient worked perfectly together, and the flavors were well balanced and satisfying. The Chicken with Mole Poblano was just as impressive. The chicken was smothered in a rich, velvety mole sauce, topped with sesame seeds, and served with rice, refried beans, and your choice of corn or flour tortillas. The mole had great depth and flavor without being overpowering. Service: The service was amazing. The staff was very friendly, attentive, and helpful throughout my visit. Atmosphere: I loved the atmosphere--it truly captures the charm and history of Olvera Street and makes the dining experience even better. Would I Return? Yes, absolutely. I'd definitely come back and recommend it to anyone visiting the area. read more

Your quintessential "tourist trap" Mexican restaurant located on historic Olvera Street. I paid $46 (including a $7 tip) for two regular margaritas ($15 each) that were 90 percent ice. I couldn't even taste the alcohol because basically there was none. It ruined an otherwise magnificent trip to L.A.'s oldest street. What irks me is that this restaurant took advantage of two people who were merely looking for a nice cocktail on a Monday afternoon. Their chips were quite tasty, though. I would never again stop into this restaurant. UPDATE: And after looking at my receipt, they also charged me for two small bowl of chips. Never told me they charged for them. Total banditos! read more